Syngnathus
Aliases：Yáng Zhī Yú (Pipefish), Qián Chuàn Zǐ (String of Coins), Shuǐ Yàn (Water Goose), Hǎi Shé (Sea Snake), Guǎn Kǒu Yú (Tube-mouth Fish).
Hǎi Lóng is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the dried body of Solenognathus hardwickii (Gray), Syngnathoides biaculeatus (Bloch), or Syngnathus acus Linnaeus, animals belonging to the family Syngnathidae. Syngnathus is a bony fish living in shallow seas, named for its dragon-like shape. It is also known as “pipefish” and “tube-mouth fish”. Its medicinal use was first recorded in Bencao Gangmu Shiyi (Supplements to the Compendium of Materia Medica).
Efficacy & Actions
Warms the Kidney and invigorates Yang; disperses nodules and reduces swelling.
Indications
Used for Kidney Yang deficiency, impotence, spermatorrhea, infertility, Kidney deficiency with wheezing, abdominal masses, scrofula (chronic lymphadenitis, tuberculous lymphadenitis), goiter (simple goiter), and traumatic injuries. For external use, it treats carbuncles, swellings, and furuncles.
Modern Pharmacology
Hormonal effects: Ethanol extract increases sperm count and survival rate in male mice; infusion shows mild and prolonged excitatory effect on isolated uterus. Immunomodulatory: Sea dragon glue increases thymus weight and white blood cell count in mice; aqueous extract promotes human peripheral blood lymphocyte proliferation. Anticancer: Promotes lymphocyte transformation, inhibits cancer cells, and promotes tumor cell lysis; inhibits HeLa, ECA-109, lung squamous carcinoma, and HCT-8 cells. Anti-aging: Increases hypoxia tolerance and reduces lipid peroxide levels. Anti-fatigue: Promotes both aerobic and anaerobic functions, accelerates recovery after intense exercise.
Ingredients
Mainly contains steroidal components, fatty acids, proteins, amino acids, trace elements, and others. Syngnathus acus contains cholesterol, cholesten-3-one, and the lipophilic fraction contains large amounts of free fatty acids, mainly myristic acid, palmitic acid, and stearic acid.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 3–9 g; or grind into powder, 1.5–3 g; may also be made into pills, powders, or steeped in wine. It is preferable to take this product in powder form. For external use: apply an appropriate amount, grind into powder and apply to the affected area.
Contraindications
Contraindicated during pregnancy. Contraindicated in patients with Yin deficiency and fire excess. Contraindicated in those with external contraction (externally-contracted conditions).
Selected Formulas
For scrofula (chronic lymphadenitis, tuberculous lymphadenitis) and goiter (simple thyroid enlargement) (Chinese Medicinal Marine Organisms) Take 9g of Hailong (syngnathus), 18g of Donggu (a type of mushroom) with stems, 9g of Zicai (Porphyra seaweed), and 30g of Hongzao (red dates). Decoct in water and drink. For internal injury due to trauma (empirical formula) Take Hailong, dry-roast and grind into powder. Take 3g each time, with warm wine. For difficult labor due to uterine inertia in women (empirical formula) Take 9g of Hailong, boil in water, add half a cup of yellow wine, and drink warm.
Daily Consumption
Wine infusion: Before soaking in wine, it is best to steam the dried Syngnathus for about 5 minutes, then place it in 50–60% alcohol (or southern rice wine). For every 500 g of wine, approximately 20 g each of Syngnathus and sea horse are used, with optional goji berries. Seal and store; it can be consumed after three months, one small cup before bed daily. Decoction: Take 3–9 g of Syngnathus, decoct in water, and drink. Powder: Grind Syngnathus into fine powder, take 1.5–3 g each time with warm water.
Medicinal Parts
Whole body, or the body after removing the skin, membrane, and internal organs. Those with large size, yellowish-white color, and intact head and tail are considered to be of the best quality.
Selection & Storage
Store in a cool, dry place, protected from insects.
